Chapter 39: Shock

“You should sit,” Reesa said finally. For a few minutes, she, Myko, and Daniela had done nothing but stare at each other as the storm outside gained strength.

Almost mechanically, Daniela moved to a nearby rocking chair.

“I’ll give you some privacy,” Reesa said, speaking in a manner that was purposefully more forceful than usual. She was trying to drown her mind’s chatter.

Myko frowned, but whether he supported or opposed this plan remained a mystery, for Daniela intervened.

“Please stay,” she said. “We could use a neutral third party.” Her attempt to inject humor into her statement was overcome by nervousness.

Myko’s frown intensified. “I’d never hurt you, if that’s what you’re implying, and Mareesa’s—”

Reesa tapped his lower back to make him curtail his sentence. “I’ll stay.”

“Thank you,” Daniela said. She watched them closely as they sat next to each other on the loveseat. “I wasn’t implying anything, caro mio.”